The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-11-23
DEFEATING DEATH.

can.
-G,ol-bv. Nellie. dear don't forget
me while I am away"
Their hands warmly pressed each 9TH
era. their lips woald have done had not.
Others been near. Then they separated
Nellie Browning watched the tall straight
form of John King until it was lost in
the high grass of the prairie. and with
sigh returned 10 dIty.
Never before had the little isolated
way station seemed 30 dull. the click Of
the telegraph instrument so monotonous.
There was literally nothing for her % do
after the customary putting 10 rights
No train would pass for hour, messages
seldom troubled her, sne had exhausted
her little stock ii reading. What could
she do to make the hours pass less wear
ily?
She rested her head upon the key
board and gave herself to pleasant wax
ing dr ams, 10 mentally following her
lover ami inurmuring aloud Of the pic
tunss thought photographed upon her
heart
It will take John all day 10 inspect
the line 10 the little wooden Island in the
middle Of the prairie aud will have 10
sleep there alone in log cabin. ] won
der If he will think Of me AL tie time
a. will OF him? How do wish that !
could be with him :"
She blushcd crimson as the Indian
pinks that splashed the prairie as with
blood at the unmaidenly thought and en-
dravored to fix her attention upon other
things. But do what she would her
thoughts wandered TO her lover, the lack
Of comfort he would experience, and the
happy day when she would have the
right 10 be ever at his side and lie with
her head pillowed upon his broad breast
at night
As if the hours had become icaden-
footed they crept along. Al noon she
listlessly ate the lunch she had brought
from her farm home; then wished night
would hurry along that she might be
with her lover, at least in dreams.
Darkness did come after long anu wea-
~ waiting: her hours of duty had ended
and she was preparing 20 leave when the
station was called and she was told in
clicking whispers that on account of an
extra that was wildcaiing she would have
to remain until midnight
With the reverse of pleasant expires
sion on her face and an almost defiant
tossing hack of her auburn curls she sat
down again. The workmen about the
station went home and left her alone ;
the frogs croaked mournfnlly from a
neighboring slough and the wires made
weird music A. the brisk night wind
PLAYED upon them But the experien ce
was new to her there was nothing 10 fear
and her faith sr would come when the
night was done.
Eight. nine, ten passed, and the silence
was becoming painful. Something must
De done. She failed to remember being
50 much oppressed by the lack of society
could have existed before his man Fri
day. Then she thought Of female
friend who was openstor at the next
westward station, and nearly dying for
some one to talk to, summoned Ster-
ling"
There was no reply Try as she would
directly she could get none, bat utilizing
circuit she was answered and asked:
what is the matter with the main
line?
Matter enough WAS answered, and
her trained ear instantly told her the
touch was not of delicate fingered girl,
but heavy-handed man. The prairie
isasl ON fire between here and Bniialo
Heart grove; that Is beginning to burn.
and when the flames sweep round on
your side you'll have to look sharp il
they don't catch you mapping, my pretty
daisy
At another time she would have closed
the key with an angry snap at the impu-
dent familiarity. Now thene Sas room
in her brain for only one maddening
thought.
John King was sleeping Ia the cabin
in the grove, would be surrounded by
fine, be siiiied bv smoke, be burned tc
death
Prairie rounl Buffalo Heart grove a
sea of fame, line down. bridges over cul
veris burned probably. Stop all trains
al Y" she managed to fash back over
the wine.
Then she dashed out where all should
have been darkness. but WAS not Foi
miles earth and sky were illuminated
the roaring Of flames could be distinct,
heard. their furions leaping dist .nctls
traced. their speed swifter than the grey
hound, and their force resistless a. cy
clone. Nothing 10 her now WAS duty
nothing that il wanted two hours of mid
night. nothing that many lives NIGH
hang upon her remaining at her post
one life she knew Was in danger, ant
that MAS TO her more than al others il
the world.
With flying feet, with desperate re
solve forming in her brain. she has;ene'
homeward. but did not enter the hons,
dared not for fear of the thwariing O
her purpose. As she passed the window
she SAW her old father nodding in al
easy chair. and satisfied smile aarte,
her lips. For the hidden wealth OF tn,
mountain and canyon she would no
have him waken
Well she knew the swlftest and mos
untiring horse in the stable That il wa
one she had never ridden, Young, fer,
valuable blue-blooded stallion. she neye
gave a thought. Speed and courag
were the things now 30 be desired. an,
all other considerations, even her owl
safety, were dwarfed into noihingness b
them.
With soothing voice aud gentle hand
the girl he'd the horse Out. bridled. sad
died and then mounted. Asionished b
her daring. he quietly submitted Tn
charm Of womanhood had easily accom-
plished what bad ever been diilicul
task for men. Then. startled by the nm
usual burden and Tapping Of skirts abou
his flank, reared. plunged. paved the al
kicked vigorously and made desperat
effort to unseaf the rider. II was unsucce
ful. The hands that held the reins, littl